Jazz and democracy educator honoured by University

A founder of a jazz inspired democracy education project has received an honorary degree from the University of Reading.

Dr Wesley Watkins, known as ‘Dr Wes’, is the founder of The Jazz & Democracy Project, a music integrated curriculum that utilises jazz as a metaphor to bring American democratic ideals to life. He received the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters in a ceremony on Tuesday 23 July.

Watkins teaches learners of all ages, from elementary and secondary level schools in the US to colleges and universities. He also trains other educators in the use of jazz and democracy pedagogy.

His interest in jazz pedagogy started in his undergraduate studies, and developed through his PhD from the International Centre for Research in Music Education at the University of Reading. His work has taken him around the world as a teacher and researcher.  

Dr Rebecca Berkley, from the University’s Institute of Education, said: “Wesley Watkins argues that we should think of the democratic process not as a state to be reached and preserved, but a process with which you constantly engage. A bit like jazz itself.

“His work teaches children how they can show their disagreement, without conflict, through the democratic process. It opens discussions of ethics with children, exploring ways to express your views through politics, the legal process, and co-operation in society, and how checks and balances exist in democratic organisations to avoid a single majority voice shouting down the freedom of other citizens. 

“In honouring Wesley with this degree, we recognise the great service he is doing to educate us all in democratic thinking and promoting jazz as an art form.”